(Yes, I'm STILL banging on about Woman's Weekly!)
Just in case there is still any doubt – My feelings about the all rights contract have not changed. It's unfair, unnecessary and unacceptable. I won't sign it. If you wish to, that's your choice, but I haven't 'caved in'. I'd be delighted to submit work to WW in the future, but won't do so if the only option is to give up all rights.
I agree that, even ignoring the terrible terms, the entire matter has been handled very badly. All writers should have been fully and clearly informed at the same time, rather than information reaching many via groups, social media and this blog. It seems entirely possible there are some who still don't know.
I did ask for permission to report the fact that previously accepted stories would be published under the old terms, on this blog, but recieved no response. I did so anyway because as well as being informed personally, I heard from others who'd had similar emails, and saw it on social media, so felt it was in the public domain – despite the fact that some writers have still not yet recieved any 'clarification' directly from anyone at WW.
I'm doing my very best to keep everyone informed. Thank you to those who're passing on information, offering support and/or joining me in taking a stand on this issue. To those who've insulted my by assuming I've abandoned my principles (and bravely done so anonymously) ... I hope your comma key gets sticky and you have to press it really hard for it to work – maybe that'll vent some of your anger.
If anyone is at all unsure about the terms any of their stories have already been accepted under, or will be in future, or if they have any queries or comments regarding this issue, please do email Emma or Jane at Woman's Weekly.
35 comments:
Keep banging on, Patsy. It isn't over yet.
One more update. Shirley Blair from The People's Friend has mentioned the issue and seems will again. https://www.thepeoplesfriend.co.uk/2018/07/13/story-starter-fag-ends/
Update Demon.
Nope.
Thanks.
I don't find that at all reassuring! Hopefully when she comes back to this, it'll be to confirm they won't be doing the same.
Patsy, you are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for keeping us all informed. And thank you for continuing to fight the good fight. I can’t believe anyone thought you had sold out! But passions are running high and sometimes things are said in haste.
Thanks Patsy for keeping informed. I received an acceptance from WW, my first from them two weeks ago. I realised from reading this blog that it was for All Rights. With a heavy heart I turned it down. I couldn't in all honesty let my fellow writers down. You are a lady of principal Patsy, as anyone who reads your blog or follows you on twitter knows, and I for one am very grateful for all the help/guidance you unselfishly give :)
Well said, Patsy. And thank you for keeping the issue visible.
We're behind you Patsy - well done on all you're doing at keeping us informed!
The CEO has received many emails concerning this All Rights Grab. I don't believe he has replied to anyone. He certainly hasn't replied to me. It's a very sorry state of affairs that he feels it necessary to run for cover and hide behind those lower down in the pecking order. And then to have the brass neck to say how valuable we writers are. If we're valuable then show us how much you value us.
Open letter sent by Simon Whaley - http://www.simonwhaley.co.uk/an-open-letter-to-the-leadership-team-at-ti-media/
UD
Hi Patsy. I just love The Curse of the Sticky Comma Key! Much better than my own “I hope you get a boil on your bum.” I shall be borrowing yours in future. Well done for sticking up for writer’s rights. I suspect they wouldn’t attempt this with men.
Well said, Patsy, and thank you for keeping us informed, and for keeping this issue visible.
Tara Westgate
I am 100% in admiration of everything you do, Patsy. Thank you.
Thank you for running the blog, Patsy and keeping us up to date.
Alyson
Well said, and well done, Patsy. I'm with you, as are many others. Thank you also to Simon Whaley for putting his thoughts and concerns, to those making the decisions at Woman's Weekly. Good wishes. Kate.
I thought I'd put this but can't find it so here it is to add to those of us who support you, Tosh: thank you, well done, kick on and keep going. And thank you to Simon Whaley too
What a shame a so called fellow writer insulted you, Patsy. Running this blog must take up a huge amount of your valuable time and all of us (apart from one it seems) really appreciate you. I also wanted to acknowledge the comment from Georgie Faye. It must have been very hard indeed to turn down a much awaited first acceptance from WW. I am becoming increasingly disillusioned by this business and hope things turn around soon. Best wishes to all xxx
Everybody writing here please also email or write to WW.
UD.
Thanks so much for keeping us all up to date with this, Patsy - and we know you'll keep taking that stand even though it will cost you an income!
Huge sympathy to you, Georgia, and well done for turning down that sale. I know how hard it must have been - I had a story published by them for the first time last year after trying forever (have been published elsewhere) and I was so excited as I've read the magazine for so long. But no more unless they change the contract.
You're right, Bea – people are getting upset and saying things which perhaps they don't really mean.
Georgie, I've heard the same thing from quite a few other writers. They've been really pleased to get their first sale and then really deflated by the terms. It's not good for anyone, but seems particularly sad when it's a first acceptance.
Thanks Lisa much appreciated :)
Ignoring people isn't how you treat those you consider valuable, is it?
I'd hope that anyone who writes for them and is unhappy with the change, has already contacted them to say so, but if anyone hasn't done so yet, I agree that they should make their feelings known.
Thanks Rosemary/Patsy. I'm not going to lie it was hard, but hopefully things will change for the better.
I also received my first acceptance from WW. So thrilled that I signed the All Rights without knowing what it meant. Now I do know, and cannot submit any more stories under those terms. Its very disappointing! I've sent an e-mail to Emma
Please can someone explain, what is the advantage to the publisher of taking All Rights? I don't understand why they wish to do this.
This question has been asked. Mark Winterton has not replied. We are still waiting to hear back from the Society of Authors in case somebody decided to talk to them.
UD.
They don't need all rights – there are lots of options which would allow a magazine to use the story where and how they like, as many times as they like, yet still allow the author to retain moral rights and the ability to use their own work themselves in the future.
Kudos to Patsy for pushing this issue, and shame on Woman's Weekly for their pervasive greed - PF
Well done Patsy, you're on the frontline and we're with you. Shocking that they can even think of such a thing.
https://www.thepeoplesfriend.co.uk/2018/07/18/a-fortunate-position/
UD.
Thanks. That sounds very reassuring! As Shirley says, their contracts allow them to do quite a lot with our stories – but still leave us with some rights ourselves, including the right to say they are our stories.
I see you have a story LOST SPARKLE in Woman's Weekly. Is this an old submission or have they changed their terms?
It's an old submission, Artisann, sent long before the changes and accepted under the old terms. It seems they have quite a stockpile of these, from various authors.
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